New gate is set to ease school traffic problems

Stephen Moutray MLA and Mark Baxter give the thumbs up to Donacloney Primary School's new gate.

Published:07:57Friday 25 September 2015

A local councillor is hoping traffic problems at Donacloney Primary School are easing.

That’s thanks to the opening of a new access gate on Monree Hill.

The gate has enabled local residents to walk to the school, rather than having to be driven round to the main entrance via Baird Avenue off the Lisnasure Road.

“I was approached early in 2014 by a few residents in Monree Hill about the existence of a footpath leading to the schools all weather pitch but with no access gate,” said a delighted DUP councillor Mark Baxter.

“It is well documented that traffic at the school is horrendous at school times and dangerous on occasion so I saw this as a possible partial remedy.

“Pupils from that area could now simply walk safely to school which would take some cars away from the school’s Baird Avenue site.

“A significant amount of work was done through Stephen Moutray’s office in terms of arranging meetings with all the statutory agencies involved to try and deliver on this project.

“The many issues were resolved and gate opened at the beginning of term. As an elected representative and a member of the board of governors, I’m absolutely delighted that we could deliver this for the parents and pupils.”

Stephen Moutray MLA added: “This is a good news story for the parents in Donacloney and I’m confident that this will go some way to tackling the traffic problems at the school.

“I worked very closely with colleagues on this and it just proves what can be achieved with a bit of perseverance. I also place on record my thanks to the parents who provided a strong lobby and both Transport NI and SELB for working with us on this initiative.”